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With lockout over, how will Giants manage free agent landscape?

The New York Giants are entering a critical juncture in their 2011 season, and the league year is only a couple hours old.

Once the lockout was lifted late Monday, all training facilities and football operations were back in business Tuesday morning, and teams are now free to begin signing their own free agents.

Every team has a plethora of free agent talent waiting to be signed, but right now the Giants are in a tough spot. With 16 free agents, most of whom are key contibuters to the Giants chances, Big Blue has to find a way to keep their stars in place.

Ahmad Bradshaw, the talented running back, who burst open as a starter with over 1,200 yards rushing is a free agent. The Giants liked employing the two back strategy, using Bradshaw as its primary back, and Brandon Jacobs as the change of pace back.

Jacobs, although a malcontent is still with Big Blue, but that might not be the case with Bradshaw. Rumors swirled last week that Bradshaw would sign with the Miami Dolphins, which would cripple the Giants running game.

Other backs who will be on the market include DeAngelo Williams of Carolina, Cedric Benson of Cincinnati, and Cadillac Williams of Tampa Bay. The Giants could pursue one of those guys, but they are better off trying to sign Bradshaw, since he knows the team, and with training camp beginning on Friday, there is a need for players to report on time.

Other free agents for the G-Men include Steve Smith, Kevin Boss and Mathias Kiwanuka.

Kiwanuka was injured last year, and the Giants still managed one of the games top defenses without him. Losing him is not a big deal, but if they can bring him back on the cheap they should do it.

Steve Smith, although I am not a fan of his, was a big target for Eli Manning in 2009, when he hauled in 107 catches for 1220 yards and seven touchdowns. Last year, an injury riddled year for Smith, he had 48 catches for 529 yards and three TD's.

The Giants should be able to retain Smith, but with better wide receivers available in free agency, the Giants should consider shopping around for another big target for Manning to throw to. Mario Manningham and Domick Hixon are nice receivers, but the Giants could use that dominating down field presence. Sidney Rice, Braylon Edwards, and some former Giant named Plaxico Burress are out there.

Then there is Kevin Boss. The second most important free agent for the Giants this season. Boss is Manning's security blanket. Whenever the quarterback was in trouble, he always found Boss down the middle somewhere for huge chunks of yards.

Even though Boss's statistics are not of the level of Antonio Gates, Boss is still very important to the Giants success. Look for Big Blue to spend big on Boss.

Can the Giants keep there key guys? Let the fun begin.

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